Of Mice and Birds [Lauryn]

[Kari Muffin]

Eurwen wasn't particularly thrilled about her new wings. Whenever she had to go shopping or interact with people who weren't her family or her boyfriend she had to cover up. The cloak always sat at a strange angle, and periodically choked her if she moved the wrong way. One day she would get used to it, today was not that day.

She slipped the bag of purchased items around her neck for safe keeping. A few supplies for her brother, and something that would hopefully help her heal a bit faster. Her face was still tender, and she knew full well that it was scarring horribly, so she would hopefully do a bit of damage control with some ointment.

Fat chance.

Trying not to feel bitter about everything the mouse went on her way. At least she tried to until she spotted a familiar shape. She stopped only briefly, hoping that she could potentially get past the Torquehelm without being seen. That wasn't very likely though, considering he was walking towards her and all.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

He couldn't believe it. The Mouse had only just found out about the complete and utter destruction of not only the Lowlands, but the Lakes as well. He sympathized with the survivors; he knew what it was like to be left without a home or family. So he'd been volunteering whenever he could to provide what minimal help he could give to those who needed it.

Just a few hours ago he'd dropped off a little bit of groceries to a few surviving Selkies who had lost their family and their business and found themselves with little to no money. He had been receiving more and more clients looking to just forget for a few hours, so he'd had a little extra to help spread around.

Feeling good about the small bit of help, he'd decided to walk home instead of hailing a carriage. Besides, that kind of spending would see him in the poor house quick if he kept on doling out his coins to other Cards. It wasn't something he was going to be able to keep up for too much longer, sadly.

Lost in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed a familiar Mouse a further bit down the street until he'd nearly walked up on her.

"Eurwen!" he exclaimed happily, frowning when he took in her different walk and odd cloak, coat thing on her back. "What's wrong, girl? You're not looking your usual, fabulous self!"

The last time Jeremiah had seen the Selkie Mouse was during that horrible day, when the world itself shook. Sure, she'd been a bit beaten and battered there but hadn't looked like the hunchback she did now. Still, a familiar face, no matter how hostile it had been to him in the past, was a welcome one.

"You okay?" he asked, genuinely, his feathered tail swishing worriedly behind him.

[Kari Muffin]

She wasn't getting out of this, was she? She could feel a slow headache creeping up behind her eyes. She straightened up, shifting the wings under her cloak to her sides. The tips poked out form the fabric.

"Well, you know, after you were sent to play at the kiddie table a lot of dumb shit happened," Eurwen grinned a bit. "A good deal of people kicked the bucket, I got my ass handed to me and half my face is now a road map, with all of this chaos with the lakes two of my family members died... so I don't think I'm okay."

She lifted up the bag she was holding. "Mind if we walk and talk? My brother is expecting me home with these before my Uncle shows up at our place."

Uncle Ez. Herm. Maybe he could pawn off Miah on the sparrow? He had a thing for Torques. They'd probably run off to screw each other or something. That sounded like a plan.

"What's up? You look cheerful."

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

Kiddies table. Miah stuck out his tongue at her. "From the sounds of things, you guys did me a favor kicking me out," he said, breathing past the little bit of hurt he felt from her bringing that back up. His gaze was momentarily drawn to... well, something poking out from underneath her cape but the mention of her family members dying brought him back.

"Oh, sugar," he said, true sadness and compassion filling his voice, "I am so sorry to hear that." He hung his head. "A lot of people died that day, but I am sorry some of them were your family." It didn't matter what she thought of him; pain and loss is still just as sorrowful for everybody.

Stepping forward he pulled her close in an awkward and tight hug, letting her go after just a few seconds. "You're such a strong chick. The rest of you're family's lucky to have ya."

As they turned to continue walking down the street, he grabbed her bag and slung it over his own neck. "Lemme get this for ya." After all, he was a lot less banged up than she was. Even with the horrible fight with that ferocious Ace, his scars and bumps were healing pretty well, thank the Suits! Some people thought scars were manly and hot, but Miah sure didn't like them on himself.

"Nothing's up, chickadee. I just always try and have a smile on my face no matter what's goin' on. Helps keep my spirits up, y'know? I hope ya don't mind me askin' but what exactly is under that cloak of yours?"

[Kari Muffin]

"I suppose we did, unless you're a fan of gore and political nigthmares," she gave a little shrug.

Eurwen had not expected to be hugged. She shifted her wings a bit so they wouldn't feel awkward when the other mouse decided to wrap his arms around her. She gave him a faint pat as he pulled away.

She still wasn't quite sure what to think of him. Probably wouldn't be able to make up her mind about him, ever. "Ha, thanks a lot. That means... quite a bit." she said as she offered him the bag. Then they were off. At least it wouldn't be a terribly long walk. Hopefully Myron would be in the back room when they arrived.

"That's a nice spin on things. I'd smile myself if half my face didn't feel like it was on fire and--oh uh..." Eurwen lifted up the cloak slightly so he got a small peak of one of the wings. A good part that didn't look like it was going to fall off any moment. "Wings. I pissed someone off and they thought it would be funny to graft on a nice set of wings that used to belong to someone I know. I suppose this is punishment for having a bunch of cranky Corvie neighbors. I'm going to try and find a better way to cover the things so I don't have to feel like a freak."

And her ivy wasn't getting as much sun as she wanted. It was starting to get to her.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

He chuckled and shook his head, "Definitely not a fan, no. Was never interested in politics. Y'see, I just can't keep my mouth shut when I have somethin' ta say," he said, smirking at Eurwen, knowing even if she didn't voice it out loud she would be commenting in her head.

Miah frowned, and really looked at her face. Yeah, she was banged up but nothing that wouldn't heal! "Why don't ya try and find some aloe leaf for the inflammation?" he suggested. "It worked great for the heat and pain when I burnt myself the first time I tried tobacco."

The Mouse stopped walking suddenly, getting a good stare going on at the bit of wings he showed him. He couldn't stop his maw from dropping open in surprise. Miah whistled, looking back up at her face.

"It was someone you know? Are they....," he paused, clearing his throat, "Are they dead?" he asked, afraid of the answer. This poor, lovely creature had suffered so much recently. No wonder she was rough around the edges. Still, Miah could tell she had a huge heart and that's what counted.

"Well, I think they'll end up looking fucking wicked," he said, starting the walking again. "Who knows, maybe you'll learn how ta fly with them and can attack me from above." He winked at her, shoving his shoulder against hers affectionately.

"But listen ta me when I say this, sweet cheeks. You're not a freak. You're unique. A freak isn't about how ya look, a freak is about how ya act. So just be true to you, and people who matter won't care about the little stuff like that," he said, gesturing with a paw to the covered wings.

"Speaking of sweet cheeks," he added with a sly smile and a glance towards Eurwen, "How's that gorgeous man of yours doing? Healin' okay? Cuz, y'know, if ya ever get tired of him just send him my way," he teased her with a wink.

[Kari Muffin]

Eurwen snorted. Couldn't keep his mouth shut was right. He probably put it to good use though. Ha. She'd keep those thoughts to herself today.

"I've tried it, it helped a little. I want something that numbs the pain so I can blink without wanting to cry. Cat claws do a good deal of damage that I was unaware of, and aloe leaf can only do so much. And I don't want to put one of my brother's experimental ointments on my face." Her face would probably literally catch on fire.

She sighed on the subject of wings. "Very dead, I'm afraid." Of course she had to shrug the thoughts of Zane off as they continued to walk down the street. No point in dwelling on something she couldn't change.

"Thanks, really. It totally makes people think twice about taking on an adorable mouse girl. And I've figured out the basics of flying already, gliding is pretty easy." Would Miah say the same thing if he saw them in full? They were rather terrifying and looked like they were going to fall off any minute. Physically speaking she was a freak of nature.

And then he changed the subject in such a masterful way the mouse girl snorted in an un-lady like manner. "Oh he's doing fine now that he's adjusted to not having a tail. And I doubt I'll get tired of him any time soon," she smirked and poked the other mouse on the nose. "And you'd have to fight me for him, which I don't think you want to do."

They had arrived at her front door. She cheerily pulled out a set of keys to unlock the door, however it opened before she had a chance to.

A sparrow in a bright pink corset was standing in the door way. He looked a bit exasperated before he realized that two people were standing in front of the door way. "Hello Eurwen and.... who's your friend?" he glanced at the Torquehelm mouse curiously. Eurwen had never mentioned being friends with someone like this. He didn't seem like her usual sort of companion... then again she had somehow managed to pick up Ayden. The girl did have good taste in men, it seemed. He stood to the side of the door to allow the pair entrance.

"Ez, this is Miah. Miah this is my Uncle, Ez."

"It's a pleasure."